Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Führer, 7. Kompanie, II. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 147, 65. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

June 11th, 1944

The actions that led to the award of the Knight's Cross for Leutnant Wunn are detailed in the following German press article...

"The Knight's Cross of Lieutenant Wunn - 18 enemy attacks defeated in 24 hours:

In the last days of May, the enemy attacked the German positions south of the Alban Hills with a tremendous superiority of men and (even more so) materiel. One of the key points on the German line was bypassed by Allied tanks on both sides and subsequently left isolated. This point was held by the 7. Kompanie of a Rhineland Grenadier Regiment led by Leutnant der Reserve Heinrich Wunn. While the tanks which had broken through on the left and right stood in the rear, the Allied infantry attacked six times on the 30.05.1944, and each time they were thrown back by the heroically fighting Grenadiers with heavy casualties. The tanks were forced to turn back due to the lack of infantry support and bombardment with the available (but few) German heavy weapons.

But Leutnant Wunn and his men found no rest on the following night. Again and again - a total of twelve times - the enemy attacked with infantry and tanks. Each time these attacks were cut to pieces or, if they succeeded in penetrating into the strongpoint as a result of their superior power, they were thrown out again by counterattacks. An armoured car drove up and called for the garrison of the strongpoint to surrender. When it did not retire, it was destroyed.

Because of this brave and self-sacrificing action, Kompanie commander Leutnant Wunn and his Grenadiers prevented the enemy's breakthrough in a position of particular importance for holding the divisional front. And later on, during the continued battles for the southern slopes of the Alban Hills (in which all the attacks of the Allies collapsed with the loss of more than 100 tanks) this handful of German soldiers had a considerable share in the defensive success achieved. This brave Kompanie commander was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on the 11.06.1944. Leutnant der Reserve Wunn was born on the 16.11.1907 in Altenkessel (Saarland)."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

2. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Grenadier-Regiment 147, 65. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

February 8th, 1945